Artificial Intelligence Humanities Sandpit

Eligibility

• This funding opportunity is open to researchers based in the UK, Canada and the US.
• As this is an interdisciplinary opportunity, researchers from outside the humanities are welcome to apply.
• All Canadian applicants and grant holders must be affiliated with a Canadian postsecondary institution that holds institutional eligibility at SSHRC and be eligible to receive SSHRC funding.
• Proposals can involve any disciplines, thematic areas, approaches or subject areas eligible for SSHRC funding. See subject matter eligibility for more information.
• Early-career and experienced researchers are welcome to apply (including postdocs).
• Participants at the sandpit will be assessed as individuals not as members of a group.
• Participants apply to attend the sandpit as individuals, and project proposals are generated during the workshops, not in advance.
• You must be available to participate fully in:
  • a three-day residential workshop in Canada between 17 and 19 February 2026; and
  • a virtual workshop in April 2026.

Summary

SSHRC and the UK Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) invite expressions of interest to attend a humanities-led, interdisciplinary research sandpit putting humanities insights and methodologies at the heart of artificial intelligence (AI) tech design. A sandpit is a facilitated workshop process through which new project teams and research propositions will be co-developed and funded. Participants will be able to bid for grant funding through the sandpit mechanism. You should not apply with a pre-formed project or team. Participants will co-develop projects through the sandpit process, supported by expert mentors and feedback from other sandpit participants.

The funding sponsors are looking for 60 participants from UK, Canadian and US research organizations to take part in in-person and virtual workshops. During the sandpit process, teams will form, develop and refine project ideas through a facilitated process guided by the sandpit Director and Mentors. The program is intended to fund up to four projects.

EOI Funding

Canada-based researchers can request a maximum of $4,000 for travel-related subsistence expenditures for attendance at the in-person workshop in Montreal. According to the Tri-agency Guide on Financial Administration (TAGFA), all travel and travel-related subsistence expenditures (meals and accommodation) must be claimed in accordance with the applicant’s administering institution’s relevant policies and processes. Travel and travel-related subsistence expenditures must be effective and economical.

Travel and subsistence costs for the in-person workshop will be covered by AHRC and SSHRC.

Submission Process

Expression of Interest (EOI)

This is a direct submission to the AHRC using their EOI Form. Do not submit the form until you have institutional approval from Research Services (RSO).

1. Before October 30, 2025: You are required to contact SSHRC prior to October 30, 2025 at partnerships@sshrc-crsh.gc.ca to signal your intention to submit an EOI.
2. On or before October 27, 2025: EOIs must be submitted to the RSO through the Research Management System (RMS).
   1. Complete a Pre-Award/Letter of Intent record in RMS and “Submit for academic approvals” (Under Save & Progress) in good time to allow for approvals from your Department Head and/or ADR prior to the deadline.
3. October 30, 2025 Deadline: Once the RSO has provided approval, submit the EOI to the AHRC via their online form by 9:00 a.m. (4:00 p.m. UK time) on October 30.

Sandpit Participation (by invitation)

Outcomes and invitations to attend the sandpit will be communicated in December 2025.

Proposals

The assessment of applications developed during the sandpit will take place shortly after the end of the sandpit and will require the submission of proposals to AHRC. Requirements related to final applications will be shared with successful EOI applicants during the in-person workshop in February 2026. Submission of project applications expected to occur in May 2026.

Full applications, plus approval in the Research Management System (RMS) via a Pre-award/Application record, must be submitted to the RSO at least 3 business days (at 12:00 p.m.) ahead of the competition deadline. 

Overhead

Not applicable.

Pre-application deadlines

RSO internal deadline

Pre-application program deadline

Application deadlines

Program application deadline

NOTE: Consult your Faculty Associate Dean (Research) (ADR) regarding Faculty-specific deadlines and submission processes.

Principal Investigators: Complete a Research Management System (RMS) record, including a copy of your complete application, and submit this for approvals in RMS.

Postdocs, students, and trainees: For fellowships and externally-sponsored research training awards or opportunities, you must complete the Research Funding Application Approval (RFAA) Trainee PDF form, and submit it, along with a complete copy of the application, to Research Services at rsotrainee@ucalgary.ca. Trainees should not use RMS at this time.

Approvals: The University of Calgary requires that all funding applications be approved prior to submission. Approval requires signatures via either RMS or the RFAA Trainee form, in the following order:

• Principal Investigator
• Department Head
• Faculty ADR/Dean
• Research Services (on behalf of the Vice-President Research)

Read the Meaning of Grant Signatures policy to understand what your approval means. Please see the agency guidelines for details about which signatures are required on your application, as it may differ from internal requirements.

Late submissions: Late submissions will only be accepted in cases of medical or family emergencies, or other exceptional circumstances. If you submit your RMS record to Research Services after the internal deadline has passed, you must secure additional approvals. Please read: Late Applications Process.

RESOURCES

Reminder: The sooner the researcher engages with Research Services, the more help we can be!

Contact the following Research Service units for support with:

Projects Involving Indigenous Research:

Support with incorporating wise practices in Indigenous research, community engagement, and Indigenous data management is available through the Indigenous Research Support Team (IRST).

Applicants can reach out by email to IRST at IRST@ucalgary.ca in advance of the RSO internal deadline. For more information about IRST, please visit the IRST webpage.

Knowledge Mobilization, Research Impact Assessment, DORA:

Support for knowledge mobilization/engagement/translation, community partnerships, research impact, responsible research assessment (DORA), and open science, is available through the Knowledge to Impact team.

Applicants can reach out by email to the KI team at knowledge.impact@ucalgary.ca.

For more information and access to resource archives, please visit the KI team webpage.

Research Data Management:

For information on research data management plans, processes, or best practices for your research program, please contact research.data@ucalgary.ca.

EDI in Research:

RSO can provide resources and support to research teams on the integration of equitable and inclusive practices in research design and research practice.

Contact edi.rso@ucalgary.ca for more information.

Research Security:

The Research Security Division is available to ensure researchers adhere to research security guidelines and policies, including the National Security Guidelines for Research Partnerships (NSGRP) and the policy on Sensitive Technology Research and Affiliations of Concern (STRAC).

Visit the Research Security website to learn more or contact researchsecurity@ucalgary.ca.

Pre-Award Submissions:

RMS: Creating a Pre-Award LOI
RMS: Creating a Pre-Award Application